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As received from the Pearce Funeral Home:
Margaret “Peggy” Barkell, age 75, of Lake Linden, passed away peacefully on March 24, 2023, surrounded by family, at the home of her daughter in Farmington, MN after a courageous battle with cancer.
She was born on December 20, 1947, the first child of Paul and Ernestine (Wareham) Haller. She graduated from Lake Linden-Hubbell High School in 1966 and Saint Joseph School of Nursing in 1969.
Peggy was married to William “Bill” Barkell on Mother’s Day in 1969 at the Lake Linden Methodist Church. Although Bill passed away nearly 25 years ago, he remained her one and only true love. She knew that one day he would be there to call her home.
She worked as an RN at Saint Joseph Hospital in Hancock and Lake Linden-Hubbell Schools as a school nurse. She operated the Mitten Tree, a craft and gift store, at the Houghton County Museum from 1984 until 1989. In 1990, she went to work for Keweenaw Home Nursing and Hospice until her retirement in 2006. However, her favorite role was that of wife, mother, grandmother, and homemaker.
Peggy was a lifelong United Methodist. She was active in both the Lake Linden United Methodist Church and Hancock First United Methodist Church. She was a Sunday School teacher, choir member, drawn to mission work, and a member and officer of the United Methodist Women including serving at the district level. Peggy for many years represented the Church as the lay delegate at annual conference. She attended the Annual Detroit School of Christian Mission in Adrian for many years. She strongly believed in the Church’s role as a mission arm of Christianity, reaching out to others and serving those less fortunate locally, nationality, and worldwide.
Peggy was well known for her handiwork which included knitting, crocheting, and sewing. Her love for crafts began at age 5 learning from her mother. She went to many craft fairs and sold at various shops.
She was preceded in death by: her husband, her parents, and brothers-Ken and Don Haller.
She is survived by: 3 children-Ann (Dennis) Testini of Lake Linden, Tom (Amy) Barkell of Hayward, WI, and Sarah Jensen of Farmington, MN; 6 grandchildren-Trey Testini, Sydney and Xander Barkell, Koral, Lilya, and Mara Jensen; 2 step grandchildren Shane and Bret Testini; a sister-Marilyn Pini; sister-in-law-Ruth Jean Barkell; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, to include her life-long friend-Pat Stevens Felhauer and dear friends-Darlene and Tom Badley.
The celebration of life service for Margaret “Peggy” Barkell will be held at the Pearce Funeral Home in Lake Linden at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, April 1, 2023 with Rev. Scott Lindenberg to officiate. Visitation will be for one hour before the service at the funeral home on Saturday.
Burial will be at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Lake Linden. The Pearce Funeral Home in Lake Linden is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to the Salvation Army, the Lake Linden-Hubbell Schools Foundation or Minnesota Hospice Foundation of Lakeville, MN.
Online condolences may be left at pearcefuneralhome.com
The family would like to thank the health care team at Minnesota Hospice for the loving care provided in her final stages of life.
